If you're looking to switch to solar, you may wonder if you have enough space to install the panels. This is a valid concern - solar panels are pretty big! Most home solar panels are about 5.5 feet x 3 feet and weigh roughly 40 pounds each.
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Most of the time, you won't see the size of solar panels expressed in feet. Instead, you'll see it's listed as the number of solar cells within a panel, with the most common solar panel sizes being 60-cell and 72-cell.
Let's take a closer look at the difference between these solar panel sizes and how to pick the right one for your home.
Calculate the costs and benefits of installing solar on your homeWhen you look at a solar panel, you’ll see it’s made up of small squares. Those squares are called solar cells, and they're the part of the panels that turn sunlight into electricity.
You'll see the size of a solar panel described by how many cells it has. 60-cell panels are usually laid out in a 6 by 10 grid and are the most popular option for home solar installations. You’ll typically find that 60-cell solar panels have output ratings between 350 and 400 watts and efficiency ratings between 17% and 19%.
72-cell panels, on the other hand, are usually arranged in a 6-cell by 12-cell grid. Because 72-cell panels hold more cells, they are bigger and can produce more solar power, making them popular for commercial installations. 72-cell panel wattage usually sits around 415 to 450 watts, but they can get into the 460-watt range. Their efficiency ratings are typically between 18% and 21%.
Many people want to know the physical size of solar panels, not just how many cells the hold. The average 60-cell solar panel is about 65 inches by 39 inches, or 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet, and weighs around 40 to 50 pounds. The actual dimensions will vary from panel to panel, so we’ve listed a few for some of the most popular 60-cell panels on the market:
72-cell panels are larger, about 80 inches by 40 inches and about 1.5 inches tall. This works out to just about 6.5 feet by 3 feet for 72 cell panels, give or take a few inches. 72-cell modules generally weigh around 50 pounds. Here are the dimensions for 72-cell panels offered by top brands:
Here’s a brief breakdown of the pros and cons of each panel size.
Once solar panels are installed on your roof, you don’t have to think much about their size anymore.
But, with portable off-grid panels, solar panel size is one of the most important things to consider. Your RV might only have a small amount of roof space, or you might want something you can carry around and set up outside your campsite!
Because portable solar panels are made for travel, they tend to be smaller and have about 40 cells as opposed to 60. 200-watt portable panels are around 5 feet by 2 feet.
You could also opt for flexible solar panels, which also measure about 5 feet by 2 feet. But flexible panels can bend and are much thinner than crystalline panels, so they’re easier for storage.
The flexible panel sold by Renogy, a popular portable solar brand, has 72 cells, but they’re smaller than the ones used in typical commercial panels. The panel is also substantially lighter, weighing just 10.8 pounds!
Folding solar panel kits are also an option for portable use. Foldable panels can be small enough to fit in your backpack, or large enough to power your RV - there's a wide range of options out there.
There are many factors that you should consider before the size of your solar panels, like solar panel efficiency and solar panel warranties.
Solar panel efficiency is the percentage of light that strikes the surface of a panel that is converted into usable electricity. Modern solar panels have efficiencies that range from around 17% up to 22.8% in some premium models.
Highly efficient panels take up less space, which will allow you to fit more panels on your roof.
There are two types of warranties that cover solar panels.
The first is the product warranty. This is the period during which you can ask the manufacturer to replace the solar panel should any problem arise. Nowadays, a product warranty of 12 years is standard, but more brands are starting to offer product warranties of 25 years.
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The second type of warranty is a performance guarantee. Most mainstream panels have a 25-year production warranty, guaranteeing the panel will produce a certain level of output at every stage of the panel’s life. From the date your panels are installed up until the 25-year mark, the minimum guaranteed output of your panels will gradually decrease.
You can expect an output of close to 100% for year one, gradually down to between 80 and 92 percent for year 25. This loss in output is technically known as solar panel degradation. Some solar panel manufacturers, such as Canadian Solar, even offer a 30-year performance warranty on certain panel models.
Find out if solar panels are worth it for your homeThe easiest way for homeowners to figure out the best solar panel size for their needs is to work with a dedicated solar installer. Solar installers will size your system based on your energy needs, coupled with your available roof space and the sunlight in your area. They can recommend a system size that can fit on your roof and reduce or eliminate your electric bill.
This article compares 60-cell and 72-cell solar panels, highlighting their differences and best uses. The key distinction between them is size, with 72-cell panels being larger due to having 12 more solar cells. 60-cell panels are typically used in residential and mobile applications, while 72-cell panels are common in utility-scale projects.
While 72-cell panels are generally rated at higher wattages, the cost per watt is crucial in determining which panel is more cost-efficient. Factors like installation costs also play a role, with 72-cell panels often being preferred for large-scale installations due to requiring less racking material and fewer electrical connections. When choosing between the two, consider your space constraints and budget. 60-cell panels are ideal for limited spaces, while 72-cell panels may be more cost-efficient in certain scenarios. Ultimately, the goal is to maximize your budget and solar power potential.
The two most common types of solar panels on the market today are 60-cell and 72-cell. Today, we explain the differences between these two types of solar panels and which one is best for your solar installation.
When it comes down to it, the only real key difference between 60-cell and 72-cell solar panels is size. Solar panels use individual solar cells that you can see as the squares that make up the panel. Obviously, 72-cell solar panels have 12 more solar cells than 60-cell solar panels.
The extra dozen solar cells cause 72-cell solar panels to be larger than the 60-cell solar panels. According to Medium.com, here are the average sizes of these two types of solar panels:
60-cell solar panels are 1.65m (5.41 feet) tall and weigh about 20kg (44.90 lbs).
72-cell solar panels are 1.95m (6.40 feet) tall and weigh about 28kg (61.73 lbs).
For sizing reasons alone, 60-cell solar panels are often used in residential and mobile applications, whereas 72-solar panels are commonplace in utility-scale projects where limited space is not an issue.
It is logical to think that more solar cells imply more solar power, but this is not always the case. Although 72-cell solar panels are generally rated at higher wattages, in some instances, 60-cell solar panels may have more output capacity than 72-cell solar panels. The most important factor in figuring out which solar panel is best for the price is determining the cost per watt.
Let’s take a look at two different solar panels. The first is a 300W 60-cell solar panel that costs $200. The second is a 350W 72-cell solar panel that costs $225. The cost per watt of each solar panel respectively would be $0.66 and $0.64. Therefore, if you have room for either type of panel, in this case, the 72-cell solar panel would be more cost-efficient. Although the difference may seem insignificant, accounting for multiple panels over many years, maximizing your cost per watt will lead to the largest financial savings.
In large-scale commercial or utility applications, installers tend to use 72-cell solar panels to save money on installation costs because 72-cell solar panels require less racking material, fewer electrical connections, and fewer security clamps than 60-cell solar panels. Of course, if you boiled these costs down to a residential solar install, there would still be some savings incurred, but at a lower rate.
Your solar panels also influence the rest of your system. If you plan to use micro-inverters instead of one large solar inverter, you will need to make sure that each is appropriately sized for your solar panels, especially when using 72-cell solar panels. Conversely, if you are powering a battery bank, one 60-cell solar panel alone may not provide enough voltage to charge the battery.
When designing your solar energy system, either 60-cell or 72-cell solar panels will be best for your needs. If you are strapped for space for your system, for example, on a residential roof, van, or an RV, choosing 60-cell solar panels will maximize the number of panels you can install. If you have space, weigh your options and choose the panel that is most efficient and affordable. After all, when installing solar, the goal is always to maximize your budget and solar power potential!
We hope we provided some insight into choosing your solar panels. You can compare your options by browsing our selection of solar panels or contact us to discuss your project with a solar power expert.
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